Buy Large Amounts of Grass Seed to Cover Lawn Area

Seed is the cheapest method of establishing a lawn and is best sown in early fall or midspring — it will require copious watering if sown in summer. You may need to deter birds by using netting. There are many seed mixes available, including those for shady and damp areas and others that are particularly hard-wearing, so you will easily be able to find a mix to suit your site. Keep in mind that seed can become stale and unusable over time if stored.

Advantages of Seed

The cheapest method of creating a lawn

There is good selection of different seed mixes available for difficult sites

Seed sowing is not as heavy work as lifting turf

Disadvantages of Seed

Grass seed can take a long time to establish

Some weeds germinate more quickly in the ground than grass seed and will compete with the seedlings for nutrients and light

Sod is Popular Choice for Creating Lawn

Turf is a popular choice since it provides you with an "instant" lawn and can be laid most of the year, although extreme periods of cold or hot weather should be avoided. Ideally, turf should be laid almost immediately after it has been delivered, but if this isn't feasible, unroll the pieces and keep them regularly watered and out of direct sunlight. The soil will need less preparation than for seed sowing. It doesn't have to be reduced to as fine a tilth.

Advantages of Turf

It creates an attractive instant lawn effect

It can be walked on about a month after laying

It can be laid in winter when there are fewer gardening jobs to do

Disadvantages of Turf

Turf is a more expensive option than grass seed

There is less choice in the selection of varieties

Laying turf can be hard physical work — not advisable for people with bad backs